ok, is it really worth $275+? On my 6.8mm, the primer pockets are gone after 5-6 reloads. The .270 brass gets tossed when the neck thickness has too much variation and concentricity increases to a point accuracy is degraded. Just don't see the cost benefit. At that cost, I could just by new brass. Oops, you don't have one do you Pkslinger?

_________________"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

Never owned one and I agree that it would not be cost effective for me. I get once-fired brass free and toss it after three reloads. Just a personal preference things. Brass is cheap. All the best...
Gil

I thought it was interesting and could be useful if you've got some oddball brass that is hard to find. However I just read an article about annealing with a candle (Handloader magazine) and would probably try that first.

_________________Mike

"I ain't no better than anyone else, and there ain't no one better than me!" Ma Kettle

I thought it was interesting and could be useful if you've got some oddball brass that is hard to find. However I just read an article about annealing with a candle (Handloader magazine) and would probably try that first.

A candle? I wouldn't think there would be enough heat in a candle flame to do the job.

I have a mate who anneals his cases when casting alloy projectiles for target and Cowboy shooting. He dips the neck and shoulder of the case in the molten lead until he can feel the web warming up then drops them into a container to cool. He claims that does the job.

Elvis...when annealling cases using a gas torch, you have to be very careful not to overheat the necks or anneal too far down the case. overheating the neck and heating up the whole case will ruin the case mate. When I used a gas torch, I would roll the neck in the very end of the flame only until I felt heat in the bottom of the case where I was holding it...any more was too much mate.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing how to anneal...well worth searching them out.

Believe it or not a candle is plenty hot enough to anneal brass. Wikipedia claims a candle flame produces between 2000* F - 2500* F (1100-1400* C). Brass begins to anneal at about 495* F. It will anneal slowly at lower temperatures. For instance, at 600* F it will take about 1 hour to properly anneal brass. It will anneal quickly with a hot enough flame and a candle will anneal a typical rifle case in about 6-10 seconds.

The "candle method" is very similar to yours. Hold it about 1/2 way down the case and when it starts to get too hot to hold drop it on a wet towel. You can also use the 750*F Tempilaq paint inside the case neck to know how long to hold it in the flame before dropping it.

I've annealed brass using this method in the past. It's slow and you can burn your fingers if your not paying close enough attention.

But it doesn't get any cheaper, nearly everyone will have the necessary "tools", and it works.

The "candle method" is very similar to yours. Hold it about 1/2 way down the case and when it starts to get too hot to hold drop it on a wet towel. You can also use the 750*F Tempilaq paint inside the case neck to know how long to hold it in the flame before dropping it.

Azar, that is exactly what I read. When I dig my way back down to the top of my loading bench I'll give it a try.

_________________Mike

"I ain't no better than anyone else, and there ain't no one better than me!" Ma Kettle

I recommend counting out loud on the first 2 or 3 cases when annealing in the candle flame. Make note of your count once the brass gets to the "too hot to hold" stage. From there on out you know how long to hold it before your burn your fingers.

After that, if you want, you can put on gloves and just keep a mental count.

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